Churchill Downs hit by deluge but O'Brien happy the rains came early

Churchill Downs is hit with heavy rainfall on Thursday morningCredit: Edward Whitaker

After an untimely deluge drowned Mendelssohn’s Kentucky Derby dream Aidan O’Brien was rather serene about the torrential rain that descended on Churchill Downs on Thursday morning.

“I think we're better getting the rain today than tomorrow and hopefully it will be nice on Saturday,” O’Brien mused from the shelter of a Portakabin.

The incessant downpour resulted in 1.83 inches of rain hitting the track. The dirt track should have taken it quite well, while the turf course was described as yielding on Thursday – but it could dry to yielding to good by racing on Friday, and perhaps even good.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Richard ForristalIreland editor

Published on 1 November 2018inGrand National festival

Last updated 14:42, 2 November 2018

Copy